Voters say sell old school

By STEVE KADEL Western News Reporter

Voters overwhelming supported selling Libby's old high school in Tuesday's election, but school board members still face questions about the building's future.

How much is the structure worth? Who might be willing to buy it? Should trustees follow the advisory vote and sell, or is the property better off staying in Libby School District's hands?

"Who knows what will happen?" said Kate Huntsberger, who won a three-year term to the school board in the same election. "I think we need to have a school board meeting and decide what to do."

A total of 636 voters marked their ballot in favor of Proposition 4, which authorized trustees to sell the building. That was slightly more than 70 percent of the 899 ballots cast.

A total of 262 people voted against the proposition.

Even members of Friends of Historic Libby High School realize a sale is not assured.

"The school board has made it clear this is just a straw poll," said Vicki Munson of the non-profit Friends. "They still have to decide if and when they want to sell it.

"We want to sit down and come up with good win-win decisions for everyone, a good solid plan for the community."

That includes putting the structure into private ownership, she said. Friends members said during the campaign that some local businesses had expressed interest in moving into a refurbished building, although names were not mentioned.

Lincoln County Elections officer Leigh Riggleman said the election turnout was 18 percent of the district's registered voters.

"That's kind of what we were expecting," she said. "School elections have notoriously not had a great turnout, unfortunately."

Munson considers the tally decisive, saying it was a strong turnout given that a tax levy wasn't on the ballot.

"It's a good indication of what the community wants," she said. "I figured there were more people out there that aren't vocal but would make their voice known at the ballot box."

School board chairwoman Teri Kelly, who also won another term Tuesday, said the district should try to make as much money as possible if the building is sold.

"If the public says sell it, we will look at selling it," she said. "As a property owner responsible to the community, we need to do just as if we were selling our house. We need to know what the property is worth and what is fair market value."

She said trustees will discuss the issue soon - probably during Tuesday's agenda meeting and work session.

Huntsberger noted that Friends has offered $100,000 for the building, but she isn't impressed by the offer.

"I have no intention of seeing that thing sold for $100,000," she said. "Those folks just picked that number. If the district wants us to see how much it can get for it, put it up for public auction."

Huntsberger expressed surprise by the proposition's large margin of victory. She said she believes many voters didn't know what they were voting for, judging from comments she's heard since the election.

The board member anticipates lots more discussion before a decision is reached. Ultimately, Huntsberger said, the old building just might make the decision itself.

"I believe, in the end, it's going to fall down before our very eyes."